Whatcom County Dairy Federation

Who's behind this, and why are they reaching out?

Whatcom County Dairy Federation represents the 100 dairy farmers currently farming in Whatcom County.Farmers are by nature a quiet bunch. They keep their nose to the ground, work incredibly hard and typically don't bother others too much with their problems and challenges.

But things are different today.

There are those who want to end farming in our community. Some oppose dairy farming because they think animal agriculture is evil, some because they think farming's harm to the environment outweighs the benefit of safe, healthy, nutritious food. Some think farming is so bad that replacing our farmland with more suburbs, shopping malls and entertainment centers would be preferable. Some find heaping scorn and outrage on farmers to their financial advantage. These might be fundraising for the non-profits or lawyers looking for targets to sue.

Anyone who farms today answers to many, many government regulators and agencies. Legislators make laws that help or hurt farming. Those who want to rid the community or world of farmers are often quite noisy and are effective in getting the attention and ear of regulators and lawmakers. Farmers are realizing that if they don't speak up, all the benefits they bring to the community and those who tend to like good food will be lost.

They also realize that they can't speak up alone. Officials who make decisions that affect farming are very interested in knowing how the community feels. So, farmers are speaking up. And farmers are reaching out to you and all those in Whatcom County who value farming and want to help preserve a future for farming here.